Inverness distillery explosion sends 3 to hospital: CCSO

Three injured in distillery explosion

Three people are recovering following an explosion at a distillery in downtown Inverness that rocked the community and shut down the downtown area for hours. FOX 13’s Aaron Mesmer reports. 

INVERNESS, Fla. - An explosion at Storm Distillery in Inverness injured three people on Friday morning and shut down the entire downtown courthouse square for hours. 

What we know:

According to officials with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Citrus County Fire Rescue, a still at Storm Distillery exploded and caused a "massive" fire that impacted the distillery as well as Hometown Deli, which is attached to the distillery. 

First responders said three people were injured, and one person suffered severe injuries in the explosion. 

Courtesy: Citrus County Sheriff's Office

Residents said that they heard the explosion more than one mile away. 

FOX 13’s Aaron Mesmer reported seeing debris, along with pieces of the still on the ground outside the business on Friday afternoon. 

Courtesy: Citrus County Sheriff's Office

What we don't know:

The condition of the three people injured in the explosion has not been released.   

The cause of the fire is unknown. 

What's next:

The fire marshal is investigating.